Storyline 3: Translating Courses

Do you need a course in multiple languages? Storyline 3's translation features can help with that. Here's how.

1. Export the Original Text
2. Translate the Exported Text
3. Import the Translated Text
4. Localize the Storyline Player

Step 1: Export the Original Text

First, export a copy of the text from your Storyline project. Go to the File tab on the Storyline ribbon, scroll to Translation, and select one of these export options:

Export to XLIFF

XLIFF is a file format commonly used for translation services and computer programs.

1. Give your file a name and click the ellipsis to select the location where you want to save it.
2. Choose the Source Language that you used to create the course.
3. Choose the XLIFF Version required for your translation service or program, either 1.2 or 2.0.
4. Click OK to complete the export process.

Export to Word

Use Word if you're translating text manually. It's easier to read than XLIFF (which is formatted for computer programs).

1. Give your file a name and click the ellipsis to select the location where you want to save it.
2. Mark the box to Include "Original Text" column for reference if you want to always see the text in its original language as you translate it.
3. Click OK to complete the export process.

 

Tip: Use XLIFF for Lists and Custom Paragraph Spacing We recommend using XLIFF to translate your course when it has bulleted lists, numbered lists, or custom paragraph spacing. Word can break formatting and spacing for these features.

Step 2: Translate the Exported Text

After exporting the text from your course, use the resulting Word document or XLIFF file to translate it into other languages. You can use professional translators, an online translation service, or a computer program.

Here are some important things to remember when translating content:

• Only modify text in the column titled Translate this column. Leave all other text unchanged.
• Don’t translate result slide variable references, such %Results.ScorePoints%.
• If you change the text formatting in any way (font, size, color, style, alignment, etc.), those changes will also be reflected in your course when you import the file back into Storyline.
• Closed captions can't be translated using this process. They'll need to be translated separately and imported back into Storyline.
• Trigger conditions can’t be translated using this process. They’ll need to be translated manually in Storyline.

• Variable names can’t be translated using this process. (Variable values can be translated, just not their names.) As a result, you shouldn’t translate variable references in the exported file unless you also plan to translate the variable names manually in Storyline. Otherwise, translated variable references won’t match their corresponding variable names.

Step 3: Import the Translated Text

When the translation is ready, import the Word document or XLIFF file back into Storyline:

1. Create a copy of your original project file to contain the new language and open it in Storyline.
2. Go to the File tab on the Storyline ribbon, scroll to Translation, and select Import.
3. Browse to the Word document or XLIFF file that contains the translated text and click Open.
4. When you see the congratulations message, click OK.
5. Review the imported text to be sure it fits properly in your course and make adjustments as necessary. Some languages use longer words and phrases, so you may need to allow more room for the expanded text or reduce the font size.

Step 4: Localize the Storyline Player

While the translation feature in Storyline lets you modify the slide content, you may also want to customize the player's text labels. Text labels let you localize buttons, messages, and other player elements for different languages.